Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/132

 tience and  resignation;  for  "a  man  of  resolution  makes every  country  his  own." (Cicero.)

I. "  Behold,  an  angel  of  the  Lord  appeared  in  sleep  to Joseph,  saying,  Arise  and  take  the  child  and  His  mother, and  fly  into  Egypt." (Matt. ii.  13.)  Ponder  the  particulars of  this  command. 1. The  angel  commands  in  the name of  God,  who  is  the  supreme  Lord. 2. He  delivers the command  not  to  Mary,  though  she  was  the  more worthy; but  to  Joseph,  because  he  was  the  head  of  the family, and  its  ordinary  superior. 3. He  appeared  to him  in  sleep,  by  which  we  learn,  that  even  while  we sleep  the  care  of  God  is  exerted  over  us,  and  He  is  continually watching  for  our  good. 4. He  tells  him  to  take the Child  and  His  mother,  without  mentioning  anything else. Oh that  Jesus  and  Mary  were  your  only  care! 5. He assigns  them  the  place  of  their  banishment. Learn, hence, not  to  choose  for  yourself,  but  receive  everything in the  ordinary  way  of  God's  providence,  and  as  coming from His  hands,  in  regard  to  place,  employment,  prosperity, and  adversity.

II. Consider the  words  of  the  angel:  "Be  there  until I  shall  tell  thee." (Matt. ii.  13.)  He  could  have  told him, determinately,  the  time  which  he  had  to  remain  in Egypt;  but  God  did  not  wish  it  to  be  known,  in  order that the  Holy  Family  might  depend  more  on  His  providence. Learn, hence,  to  depend  exclusively  on  divine Providence, and  not  to  be  too  solicitous  for  the  future, in regard  to  what  may  or  may  not  happen;  for  "the steps  of  man  are  guided  by  the  Lord." (Prov. xx.  24.) "And He  hath  given  His  angels  charge  over  thee,  to